Fiji belongs to the Fijian people, and so should our new flag - PM

Fiji belongs to the Fijian people, and so should our new flag.

Those are the words of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while speaking at Nakurukuruvakatini Primary School in Naitasiri.

Bainimarama says the new flag needs to capture the beautiful imagery of our country and symbolise our unity and independence.

The Prime Minister says the government is in the process of giving the Fijian people a flag that truly showcases who we are as a country.

He says they have extended the deadline for new flag design submissions to the 29th of February due to the overwhelming number of responses that have been received.

In March, the government will put forward five designs and consult with the public, before declaring the new flag on Constitution Day, the 7th of September.

Bainimarama says the flag will represent every Fijian, and he encourages everyone to be involved in the process.

Meanwhile Nakurukuruvakatini Primary has been provided with 100 sets of double bunk beds, a new VTSAT System and cooking items.

Bainimarama says this represents a $63,781 investment by government.

He says the days of boarding students not having beds to sleep on are over.

The Prime Minister says the school can truly become a home away from home for students who now have proper beds to call their own.

He also says that the challenging days of cooking food over open‑fires are over as well.

The new cooking items will make cooking cleaner, easier and safer.